Given all my issues with insurance, I have to lay out one last problem: the cost. So the government is going to offer subsidies to those within a generous amount of income brackets - what about being able to pay for it up front? If people can't afford it now, how are they going to be able to afford it the first year of having to have it, before the subsidies go into effect?
Also, while some employers offer insurance benefits to their employees, what about those of us who don't work traditional, full time jobs? Isn't it the American dream to do what you love? Why should people be forced into jobs they aren't necessarily satisfied with just because they are afraid to not have the benefits?
Solutions:
Solution 1: Do away with insurance. Yes, I just suggested doing away with the system as we know it. My mother tells me stories of back in the day, when the first thing a medical provider did not ask you was for an insurance card. She even says she thinks she's still waiting on a bill from when she needed stitches while on vacation once, decades ago. How nice. Let's go back to those days. Let's go back to a time when doctors provided health care in order to help people. (And to think people thought that the healthcare reform bill was extreme!)
Solution 2: While Solution 1 is very extreme, and would cause a new world order in terms of healthcare, let's try this, instead: have health insurance as a policy against catastrophic (financially and health-wise) health-related events.
Solution 3: So, Solution 2 has its bugs, too. Maybe if we just had a little more compassion for each other. (And act honorably - if you can't afford to pay, make payment plans, and stick to them.)
Solution 4: Quit having healthcare be a for-profit business.
So, I don't have a perfect solution, but they're not bad ideas to start with. Maybe if more people would get together to discuss solutions, a good one would arise.
Advice for healthcare providers/staff:
Be sensitive to all patients, regardless of insurance status. Being at the doctor isn't often on top of someone's list of favorite things, so they're likely not in the mood to be the victim of rudeness. (Not saying all providers are rude.)
Be willing to work with patients on payment plans. Look into offering Care Credit at your practice. Have someone available to counsel patients on ways to pay for healthcare.
Give treatment in regards to a patient's health, not his or her insurance policy (or lack thereof).
Advice for patients:
Be nice to your providers/staff. Niceness breeds niceness. If staff people are rude to you, report them to your doctor. If your doctor is rude to you, report it to the office manager.
Stand up for those without health insurance. Kindly say things like, "insurance doesn't guarantee payment, and lack of insurance doesn't mean you won't get it." The more people who speak up, the more voices will be heard.
Pay in a timely manner, as soon as possible. This will make the practice more comfortable, since they will be getting their money, and they will realize you (and others without insurance) are not necessarily a risk to the practice. If you have trouble paying, alert them of your situation immediately, and assure them you have not forgotten. This may not guarantee great results, but at least you are acknowledging your responsibility.
I know I mentioned these things earlier, but remember:
- DO NOT GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR NON-EMERGENT REASONS!!!
- Honor yourself by being proactive about your health. Be informed of risk factors, family history, often mis-diagnosed and overlooked symptoms. Be honest with your healthcare providers. Remember, it's generally cheaper and easier to treat something sooner rather than later.
If you have stuck it out this far,
through all parts of this,
THANK YOU!!!
